Promotion dreams soured in Cornwall

Substitute's goal five minutes from time ended play-off hopes at Truro

Picture: Phil Cannings

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Beaten to the final - Hungerford's Alan O'Brien in action at Truro on Tuesday night

Truro City 1 Hungerford Town 0

HUNGERFORD’S promotion adventure was ended five minutes from the end of normal time when substitute Isaac Vassell squeezed home a header to beat matc hero Paul Strudley and give the Cornish side a home promotion decider with St Neots Town on Monday.

The season-long battle to earn the chance ended disappointingly as Hungerford never hit form and conjured up only one serious goal attempt over the 90 minutes.

But with Strudley and Hungerford’s defensive equipment in good shape, there was alays a chance that something might happen, even if it came down to extra time and penalties.

That hope was ended when full back Shane White found room to cross and Vassell got his had to the ball to direct it beyond Strudley.

The goalkeeper’s dash from Germany, via Birmingham and Newquay, was worthwhile as he made a number of key stops, the best of which saw him keep out two rasping efforts from Ed Palmer while Hungerford laboured throughout but their attacking options foundered on a defence in which Palmer also stood out.

Their best effort came early on when James Clark blazed over and a late surge was easily held.